1) What motivated you to get involved in the gun debate, especially in starting Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America?

The day after 26 Americans were slaughtered in the sanctity of an elementary school, I was so outraged that I started a Facebook page where moms concerned about gun violence in our country could talk. In just weeks, our online discussion quickly turned into an offline movement. And the more moms that learned about our lax federal and state gun laws – as well as the 86 Americans who are murdered or commit suicide with a gun every day – the more angry we became. We thought our elected officials were protecting us – we were wrong. For decades, too many of our elected officials have been doing the bidding of the Washington gun lobby without notice, but no longer – American moms are paying attention post-Newtown.

In just over a year, Moms Demand Action has grown into a national grassroots movement with a chapter in every state of the country, thousands of volunteers, and millions of supporters. Since Sandy Hook, we’ve been a ubiquitous presence pushing for sensible gun laws in city halls and statehouses, and we’ve already achieved some significant results.

Before Moms Demand Action, the voices of moms were missing from this debate, but that has finally changed. We’re excited to jumpstart a grassroots movement that is able to finally go toe-to-toe with the Washington gun lobby. Our opposition may have had a decades-long head start, but we’ll win because the passion of moms to protect their children will beat out the interests of the Washington gun lobby.

Just for those who aren’t aware, this is the work history for Shannon Watts according to her LinkedIn Profile, doesn’t seem like such a “grassroots” organization when you look at whose behind it, does it?

Freelance Senior Consultant/Counselor at Fleishman-Hillard
Founder and President at VoxPop Public Relations
Vice President, Corporate Communications at WellPoint
Director, Global Communications at GE Healthcare
Director, Global Public and Corporate Affairs at Monsanto
Vice President, Corporate and Public Affairs at Fleishman-Hillard
Public Affairs Officer at Missouri State Government